nielsen ratings
(fast national numbers for saturday, february 16, 2013)

Here are the highlights of the eight ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

FOX (4.791 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1) was the top draw on Saturday with its coverage of "NASCAR: Sprint Unlimited at Daytona" (4.791 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.2, #1).

CBS (4.785 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T2) then was the number two network with its mix of "Person of Interest" (4.203 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T6), "Criminal Minds" (4.409 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T3) and "48 Hours" (5.746 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.0, #2).

Next up was ABC (2.193 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T2) and the feature "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (2.193 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T3).

And finally, NBC (1.967 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #4) closed out the night with another best of "American Ninja Warrior" (1.943 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.6, #T6), "Chicago Fire" (1.754 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.4, #8) and a primetime repeat of "Saturday Night Live" (2.203 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T3).

In late-night metered market ratings (via NBC's press release):

* "Saturday Night Live," with host Christoph Waltz and musical guest Alabama Shakes (4.6/12 in metered-market households), dominated its time period. "SNL" scored the #1 rating of the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in metered-market households, topping all primetime telecasts on those networks.

* In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, last night's "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.5 rating, 11 share in adults 18-49. "SNL" delivered the top rating of the night among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in the Local People Meters, more than doubling all primetime programming on those networks in 18-49.

Here are the highlights of the nine ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks one year ago (2/18/12):

FOX (6.67 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.9, #1) was the network to beat with its coverage of "NASCAR '12 Budweiser Shootout" (6.67 million viewers, #1; adults 18-49: 1.9, #1)

ABC (3.26 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 1.0, #2) then took home a distant second place with its mix of "Winter Wipeout" (3.01 million viewers, #7; adults 18-49: 0.9, #4) and the feature "Wild Hogs" (3.38 million viewers, #5; adults 18-49: 1.0, #3).

Next up was CBS (4.79 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 0.8, #3) with encores of "Person of Interest" (4.26 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.6, #7) and "NCIS: Los Angeles" (4.73 million viewers, #3; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T5) followed by a new "48 Hours Mystery" (5.37 million viewers, #2; adults 18-49: 1.1, #2).

And finally, a repeat of "Smash" (2.15 million viewers, #9; adults 18-49: 0.4, #9) lead into the time period premiere of "The Firm" (2.73 million viewers, #8; adults 18-49: 0.5, #8) - a series low - and a repeat of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.29 million viewers, #6; adults 18-49: 0.7, #T5) on NBC (2.72 million viewers, #4; adults 18-49: 0.5, #4).

In late-night metered market ratings (via NBC's press release):

"Saturday Night Live" (4.9/12 in metered-market households) with host Maya Rudolph and musical guest Sleigh Bells, dominated its time period with the #1 rating of the night in metered-market households, ahead of all Saturday primetime telecasts on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Saturday Night Live" averaged a 2.9 rating, 13 share in adults 18-49 to rank #1 among the night's telecasts ahead of all Saturday primetime programs on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

Source: Nielsen Media Research